Images (C) Jo Loat
Final score: Basingstoke Bison 5-4 Hull Seahawks (League)
By Matthew Church
Saturday 28th January 2023
Refs: Hewitt and Korsaks – Linos: Fraley and MacPhee
For the final home game in January, the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison played host to the Hull Seahawks on Saturday night, as the Herd looked to bounce back from a zero point weekend last time out.
With the home side desperately trying to remain in the play-off spots and their opponents fighting to lift themselves off the foot of the table, it was sure to be a thrilling contest. Early chances for the Herd saw them testing netminder Jordan McLaughlin multiple times in the opening minutes but their failure to be clinical was punished at 9:38, as the visitors took the lead against the run of play. An initial shot led to a failed clearance which saw Jordan Fisher (assisted by Jones and Kent) send a rocket-like slapshot in from distance for a 0-1 score. Not to be deterred, the Bison continued to press in search of an equaliser and three minutes later they found one, from an unlikely but exciting source. A scramble in front of the net saw young prospect Travis Penny (Morris, Baird) calmly flick the puck into the net from on the doorstep at 12:21.
The rollercoaster of emotions continued throughout the first period as the resolute Seahawks once again took the lead at 16:39 courtesy of Sam Towner (Bruton, Svec), who finished off a quick passing move down low by slamming home to leave the away side 1-2 ahead after 20 minutes. An early powerplay opportunity for the visitors in period number two, saw them extend their advantage even further to leave the Bison in deep trouble. Emil Svec (McLaughlin, Archer) accepted a long pass from netminder McLaughlin before winding his way through the Bison defence and firing low past Alex Mettam in net, putting the Seahawks 1-3 in front and leaving the home fans feeling perplexed at the current situation.
Most of the middle frame saw the Herd dominate puck possession and chances created, but for all their hard work, they continued to be frustrated by an inspired netminder. However, at 38:31, hope was renewed as Edgars Landsbergs (Norcliffe, Sampford) brought his side back to within a single goal, tucking home a rebound after hard work from captain Norcliffe forced McLaughlin into a smart save. The Herd now trailed 2-3 heading into the second break.
So often this season, the Bison have failed to capitalise on momentum swings but tonight they took full advantage as the final period began, levelling the game at 3-3 within two minutes of the restart with a powerplay goal. Using the extra man to full effect, import forward Marcel Balaz danced up ice with the puck before dropping the puck to Hallam Wilson (Balaz, Mettam) in close, who redirected past McLaughlin at 41:45 and gave the home fans cause for huge celebrations. A huge hit from James Archer on Josh Kelly caused uproar in the stands a few minutes later, but all was forgotten as the Bison players maintained concentration to take their first lead of the evening at 47:53. Breaking forward with the extra man, a drop pass to Marcel Balaz (Lubwele, Milton) in space allowed the forward to pick his spot and shoot past the Hull netminder with precision, to scenes of delight around the rink as the Herd now led 4-3.
With the game finely poised, both sides knew the next goal was crucial to their respective chances of success. Thankfully for the Herd faithful, it would be scored by a home player as man of the match Hallam Wilson (Norcliffe, Balaz) converted on the powerplay at 53:55, after George Norcliffe whistled down the left wing before heading towards net where he found Wilson parked in front of net to tap home the game-winning goal. The drama was far from over as Liam Morris and Sam Towner engaged in an entertaining scrap with less than three minutes remaining, before a consolation tally by James Archer (Salem, Svec) at 59:55 brought the Seahawks back within a single goal.
Fortunately, the Bison survived Emil Svec bursting through in the dying seconds to hold on for an exhilarating 5-4 comeback victory and 2 hugely important points in the race for a play-off place.
Next up at home for the Herd, another massive game in our pursuit of a Play Off place as we play against 9th placed team the Bristol Pitbulls on Saturday 4th February. See you all there!
Match Stats:
Bison stats: Balaz 1+2, Norcliffe 0+2, Wilson 2+0, Baird 0+1, Landsbergs 1+0, Lubwele 0+1, Mettam 0+1, Milton 0+1, Morris 0+1, Penny 1+0, Sampford 0+1
Netminder: Alex Mettam 21/25 (84.00%)
Seahawks stats: Svec 1+2, Archer 1+1, Bruton 0+1, Fisher 1+0, Jones 0+1, Kent 0+1, McLaughlin 0+1, Salem 0+1, Towner 1+0,
Netminder: Jordan McLaughlin 40/45 (88.89%)
PIM: Bison 7 – Seahawks 15. SOG: Bison 45 – Seahawks 25.
Bison MOM: Wilson – Seahawks MOM: McLaughlin
Tickets for this game are available to purchase from the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
